Former Tennessee football coach files $100M lawsuit against NCAA

Former Tennessee football coach Jeremy Pruitt initiated legal action this week against the NCAA seeking a sum of $100 million over the consequences of his termination four years ago due to recruiting violations.

The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday in DeKalb County, Alabama, alleges that the NCAA colluded with the university to make him the "scapegoat" for misconduct that occurred before his tenure at UT.

Pruitt was hired by Tennessee in December 2017, replacing Butch Jones. However, he was fired for cause in January 2021 after a record of 16-19 in three seasons and did not receive his $12.6 million buyout.

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In July 2023, Tennessee discovered that all 11 wins from the 2019 and 2020 seasons had been nullified as part of the punishment for the alleged violations during Pruitt's time as coach.

The NCAA also imposed a six-year show-cause penalty and a one-year suspension against Pruitt, who has not coached in college football since. He is currently assisting with coaching at his alma mater, Plainview High School in Alabama.

According to Pruitt's lawsuit, Tennessee was already paying players before he was hired. He claims to have informed then-athletic director Phillip Fulmer of the payments and was told that Fulmer would handle it.

In the lawsuit, 50-year-old Pruitt asserts that he has suffered damages including lost wages, future lost wages, harm to his reputation, emotional distress, and mental anguish.

Pruitt's legal team released a statement to USA Today.

"We fully support Coach Pruitt's allegations as outlined in the complaint," the statement read. "While we appreciate the public's interest in this matter, we have no intention of trying Coach Pruitt's case in the media. Jeremy deserves a fair and impartial trial, which the NCAA did not allow."

The NCAA issued a statement in response to the lawsuit.

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"NCAA regulations are proposed and adopted by member institutions, and penalties for violations are imposed by a committee of representatives from NCAA member schools and conferences, as well as individuals from the public with legal expertise," the statement read. "In this case, the Committee on Infractions found violations and imposed penalties, which were later upheld by the Infractions Appeals Committee."

Tennessee also released a statement, stating that they have confidence in the actions taken in the Pruitt case and will continue to prioritize their student-athletes and uphold integrity in their winning efforts.